Pulse delivery device including slew rate detector, and associated systems and methods

Inventors

Willis, Parker N.

Assignees

EBR Systems Inc

Abstract

The present technology is generally directed to implantable medical device systems configured to provide cardiac resynchronization therapy. In some embodiments, the implantable medical device system comprises a housing, electrodes carried by the housing, a transducer configured to produce input voltage signals in response to ultrasound energy, and a circuit configured to provide, via an electrical pathway, output voltage signals based on the input voltage signals. The circuit comprises a movable switch, and a slew rate detector configured to detect whether a voltage rate of an individual pulse of the input voltage signals exceeds a predetermined threshold voltage rate. The circuit is configured to move the switch to an open position in response to the detected voltage rate exceeding the predetermined threshold voltage rate.

Core Innovation

The invention is an implantable medical device system for ultrasound-based cardiac resynchronization therapy in which a transducer produces input voltage signals in response to receiving ultrasound energy. A circuit electrically coupled to the transducer receives the input voltage signals and provides output voltage signals via an electrical pathway comprising electrodes carried by a housing. The electrical pathway includes a switch with an open state and a closed state, so the circuit selectively delivers stimulation based on characteristics of the received pulses.

A slew rate detector detects whether a voltage rate of an individual pulse of the input voltage signals exceeds a predetermined threshold rate. In response to the detected voltage rate exceeding the predetermined threshold rate, the circuit changes the switch from the closed state to the open state. The system detects the voltage rate of individual pulses and, if the threshold is exceeded, prevents the corresponding pulses from being delivered to the patient in the form of electrical stimulation.

For additional pulse qualification, the circuit includes a pulse duration detector that detects pulse duration of individual input-voltage pulses and triggers switch opening when a detected pulse duration exceeds a predetermined threshold time. A disconnect circuit can use a charge pump generating a negative voltage to move the switch to an open position when the pulse duration threshold is exceeded. The logic is intended to electrically decouple terminals on the electrical pathway to inhibit corresponding stimulation pulses when the pulse characteristics exceed the predetermined thresholds.

Claims Coverage

The partial content identifies three independent claims: an implantable medical device system, a method, and a cardiac synchronization system. Across these, the central inventive features are ultrasound-to-voltage conversion, monitoring of individual pulse voltage rate against a predetermined threshold rate, and switch-based electrical decoupling or prevention of delivery when the threshold is exceeded, with dependents further qualifying by pulse duration and negative-voltage charge-pump switch-opening logic.

Across the identified independent claims, the invention centers on detecting ultrasound-received pulse characteristics, specifically a voltage rate of individual pulses relative to a predetermined threshold rate, and using switch-based electrical decoupling to inhibit stimulation delivery to the patient when the threshold is exceeded. Additional claimed embodiments further support decoupling by using pulse duration detection and negative-voltage charge pump switch-opening logic.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications

No documented applications found